Slapdashery

I need a plan. An organizational system. A method. I've been snatching and grabbing green ideas out of the air as they appeared kinda like this guy (only with out the badass mullet and mustache):  

If it sounds doable, I've been doing it, with no real rhyme or reason. I need to figure sift out a method in all this madness, so I can see where action still needs to be taken, and what's going well. 

So today's recap day. Looking back at the carbon footprint calculator that I started with, here's the analysis of what we've done so far using the site's categories:

House:

- Electricity

• Raised the temperature on the air conditioner to 78 degrees 
• Opened the windows at night to help the upstairs cool
• Turned off the dry cycle on the dishwasher
• Changed dishwasher setting from "Heavy" to "Normal"
• Installed small night lights in/near the kids' rooms so they wouldn't sleep with the bathroom lights on
• Been extra vigilant about turning off lights when we leave the room
• Only turn lights on when sunlight just won't cut it.

- Natural Gas

• Turned down the water heater from 145(ish) degrees to 130 degrees  

- Water

• Stopped pre-washing with running water, use small amount of water in sink
• Use kitchen timer to remind us to move the sprinkler
• Put bucket in shower to catch water as we wait for the water to heat up, use the bucket full of water in the yard

Car:

• Walked more (we walked home from the music festival, we also walked to & from the video store)

Secondary:

- Food

• Made one meatless meal per week
• Bought in bulk when possible to save packaging
• Planned meals based on what was in the cabinets (rather than what sounded good at the time) to purchase less

- Cleaning products

• Made our own toilet cleaner
• Made our own all-purpose cleaner (stored in a reused pop bottle)

- Reusing

• Bought & used reusable shopping bags
• Made pop bottle banks and toys
• Used baby snack canister to store bulk baking soda
• Started a bag to collect containers for future reuse

- Recycling

• Recycle everything possible
• Put recycling container in the office for paper waste

Not bad for two weeks at it, actually. I think a goal a week in each category is doable, so that's the plan. I'll do a weekly recap on Wednesday, and set new goals.

GOALS FOR 8/4 - 8/11

House: 

Electricity: I'm going to build a clothesline this week to line dry our clothes

Natural Gas: I'm going to use lower water heat settings for laundry

Water: I'm going to set a timer and time my showers to see how long I take, and then set a goal for reducing that time.

Car: 

I'm going to look into carpooling the kids to & from football practice.

Secondary:

Food: I'm going to buy a steamer and start preparing some baby food at home.

Cleaning products: I'm going to fiddle with the all-purpose cleaner mix, it's leaving a gritty residue

Reusing: I'm going to make a good storage place to put reusable items, right now they're just in a bag hanging from a cabinet in the kitchen

Recycling: I'm going to research all the rules & regs of our local recycling center to make sure I'm not screwing that up.

Wow...that's a lot. Here's hoping...